My Passion, My Work, My Life

The Flu Shot

I got the flu — the aches, the headache, the congestion, the fatigue and the all night chills despite being covered in four blankets, a sweatshirt, pants and socks. I never expected it, but as I woke up on Saturday morning it wasn’t a hang over I felt, it was a knock-your socks-off-crawl-into-bed misery.

I remember the scene two months ago vividly. It was me, telling my roommates I was not going to get a flu shot. I didn’t need in one.

I am a young, healthy person. Why should I put more into my body than I absolutely need? They tried to convince me that I would avoid getting sick, I heard but didn’t listen. I even wrote an article for my college newspaper last year about the importance of getting a flu shot, even if you are young and healthy. It wasn’t the $15 that kept me away, it was my own stubborn pride that I was better than this. I didn’t need help.

Well, the school that I missed and the aches that I’ve endured have suppressed that pride and convinced me that next year, I’ll be first in line.